Aeromedix is excited to announce a limited edition of Doug Ritter’s RSK® Mk1 and Mini-RSK® Mk1 folders in Crucible's CPM M4 high speed tool steel. CPM M4 represents the next generation high speed tool steel from the conventional M2 high speed tool steel used in Doug's highly coveted previous limited edition run. The CPM M4 alloy has roughly 50% more Vanadium and a complimentary increase in Carbon compared to conventional M2, producing more hard vanadium carbides in the microstructure. This higher Vanadium content is made possible by use of the patented Crucible Particle Metallurgy (CPM) powder metal production process. CPM produces a finer grain and more homogenous structure than conventional steels, the bottom line for CPM M4 being a combination of an edge that will stay sharp longer and higher blade toughness.

Please note that CPM M4 is not a stainless steel and while the blade is coated for protection, the ground edge and laser markings must be properly cared for to prevent rust. The coating is black Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) with a semi-matte Tumbled Finish. DLC is a very thin (1.5 – 2 microns) but highly abrasion resistant coating that is bonded to the metal by physical vapor deposition (PVD) under vacuum. DLC is a much more abrasion resistant coating than the BK1 black coating used on the CPM S30V stainless steel blade of the standard RSK® Mk1.

Note: To protect your CPM M4 blade, Doug recommends Sentry Solutions TUF-CLOTH which applies non-toxic dry film corrosion inhibitors as a water-displacing micro-bonding crystal barrier against rust. You can add a TUF-CLOTH to your Aeromedix.com M4 RSK® Mk1 order.

This limited run will be 240 pieces of each. As always, serial number 001 is reserved for the Equipped To Survive Foundation for future fundraising purposes. Benchmade has told us that we can expect deliveries in February 2010, but that is subject to the vagaries of production and out of our control. They will be delivered when they are done.

The general specifications are identical to the highly acclaimed standard Doug Ritter RSK® Mk1 and Mini-RSK® Mk1 with the following particulars:

* CPM M4 blade steel, 60-62HRC
* Plain Edge
* Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) Tumbled Finish (semi-matte) blade coating
* Laser Marked "CPM M4" on front behind thumb lug, Doug Ritter logo on blade as normal
* Laser Marked with three-digit Serial Number on reverse behind thumb lug, Benchmade logo and model number on blade as normal
* Black Noryl GTX Handles
* All Black Hardware
* Parkerized Clip (now standard on all RSK Mk1 and Mini-RSK Mk1 except Pink)
* Made in the USA by Benchmade Knife Company in Oregon City, Oregon
* Limited Lifetime Benchmade Warranty
* 240 each, RSK® Mk1 and Mini-RSK® Mk1

RSK® Mk1 model 552DLCM4-500: $155
Mini-RSK® Mk1 model 558DLCM4-500: $145

Aeromedix is accepting pre-orders on a first come, first served basis, except that collectors of earlier limited editions and first production runs may specify their serial number and Aeromedix will attempt to satisfy your request (make sure you order under the same name previously used as that is how we keep track and please don't bother requesting a specific number if you haven’t been a collector before). Anyone pre-ordering both a full-size and a Mini at the same time will get matching serial numbers. Orders will be limited to no more than 3 of each size to any one email and shipping address.

Click here to place pre-orders on the Aeromedix Website.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each Doug Ritter RSK® knife goes to support the non-profit Equipped To Survive Foundation.

Doug Ritter and RSK are trademarks of Douglas S. Ritter.

drool ... drool
*looking at the couch and doghouse, wondering if DW will tolerate another knife purchase*

Merry Christmas and I thought I was done

Nice!

Wish the MK3 was M4 too.

Just a note in response to a number of PMs and emails:

Anyone pre-ordering both a full-size and a Mini at the same time will get matching serial numbers.

If you pre-order on separate orders, say you ordered a full size and then decided afterward to order a Mini, you need to add a request in the comment box with the second order, preferably with the original order number for reference.

Hope this helps.

I've searched and I haven't found any advice on how to survive my wife's wrath if I buy another knife.

Tell her it's RSK Jewelry?

>I've searched and I haven't found any advice on how to survive my >wife's wrath if I buy another knife.

Buy yourself a full size and her a matching serial number mini 'as a token of your love; cos heck you are just that romantic a man! :-)
The Sock

>Wish the MK3 was M4 too.

There are drop point fixed blades on the benchmade site that look a lot like the MK3.
The Sock

The Benchmade fix blade M-4 knives are Gold Class Model 210 Activator™ and aren't cheap if you can actually find one at a dealer.